TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

REGION 12

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with
the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University, administered a survey to
students in grades 7 through 12 in Region 12. A total of 4472 students completed the
questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number,
186 surveys were excluded from analysis because students did not indicate their grade or age, or
because they were identified as exaggerators (i.e., claimed to have used a non-existent drug or
reported overly excessive drug use). The final number of surveys included in the overall region
analysis was 4286.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty* percent of Region 12 students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31* percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

•Ten* percent of region students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 6*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-five percent of Region 12 students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 40 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of region students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 23* percent of region 9th through 12th grade students said
they had driven a car at least once during the past year after having "a good bit
to drink."

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Region
Survey Results." Due to the differences in rounding procedures, there may be slight discrepancies between the
percentages referred to in the tables and those reflected in the executive summary and in the corresponding
figures. Figures referenced throughout this report are included in "Part III: Executive Summary."

2 Data in this report marked with an asterisk are estimated to be statistically significant at the .01 level from
the comparable data for the state as a whole. This means that in only one of a hundred samples would a
difference this large have occurred when there was no difference between the district and state data. Differences
in very small districts will seldom be statistically significant due to the small number of cases. Differences that
are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 16* percent of region students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3* percent (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen* percent of region students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Region 12 students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (35 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Region 12 students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty* percent of Region 12 students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime general tobacco use ranged from
49* percent among region 7th graders (40 percent statewide) to 70* percent among region 11th
graders (61 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by 7th and 11th
graders statewide.

Thirty-one* percent of Region 12 students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use
was lowest among region 7th grade students (22* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by 7th grade students statewide (16 percent). Thirty-six* percent of Region 12 10th
graders (27 percent statewide) and 37* percent of region 11th graders (27 percent statewide)
reported using a tobacco product during the past month, rates higher than those reported by
students statewide.

Fifty-four* percent of Region 12 students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 25* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 10*
percent of region students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 15*
percent of Region 12 10th graders (10 percent statewide). Twenty percent of region students
said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of region students (17
percent statewide), while 13* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 6* percent of region

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students (2 percent statewide), and 12* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and Region 12. Alcohol
use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago. Overall,
Region 12 students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers
statewide.

Seventy-five percent of Region 12 students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among region
7th graders (57 percent/58 percent statewide). Eighty-five percent of Region 12 12th graders
(86 percent statewide) and 85 percent of region 11th graders (83 percent statewide) reported
lifetime alcohol use (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of Region 12 students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among region 7th graders (23
percent/24 percent statewide). Fifty-five percent of region 12th graders reported consuming an
alcohol product during the past month (52 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Region 12 students are beer (63* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (62 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty* percent of region
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 33
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-three* percent of Region 12 students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 28* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 43 percent of region
students (41 percent statewide), while 24* percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Region 12 students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," the same rate reported by students statewide. The rates of attending class
while intoxicated ranged from 6 percent among region 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 15*
percent among region 10th graders (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Twenty-three* percent of region 9th through 12th grade students said that they had driven a car
after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year, compared to 15 percent of
students statewide. Driving while intoxicated was reported by 22* percent of Region 12 10th
graders (11 percent statewide), 27* percent of region 11th graders (20 percent statewide), and
35* percent of region 12th graders (26 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by

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their counterparts statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year
was reported by 7* percent of region 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-seven percent of Region 12 students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, the same rate reported by students statewide.
Thirty-eight percent of region students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol
(40 percent statewide), and 42 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they
obtained alcohol most of the time or always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind"
with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 11* percent of region students (10
percent statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of Region 12 students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by region 12th graders (64 percent/62 percent statewide) (Figs.
12a and 12b). Forty-two percent of region students responded "at parties" when asked where
they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 15* percent of
region students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent
statewide).

Students were asked how many days during the school year they were absent from class due to
an illness or for some other reason, and how many days they had gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer region students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (29 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
region students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-six percent of the region students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 27 percent of region students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (26
percent statewide).

Parental attitudes can be a major factor in whether or not a student uses alcohol or drugs. When
asked how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, 73* percent of Region 12
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight* percent
of region students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 13* percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

3 Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants
and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Region 12 students are using
inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixteen* percent of Region 12 students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 12
percent among region 11th grade students (14 percent statewide) to 19 percent among region
10th grade students (17 percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of Region 12 8th graders
reported lifetime inhalant use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th graders
statewide (24 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three* percent of Region 12 students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Two* percent of region students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one
class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Ten* percent
of region students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during
their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Region 12 students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Six percent of region students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent
statewide), and 6* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Over the
last two years, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide has increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students
statewide over the last two years.

In Region 12, 20* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 14* percent of region students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 1.4 times in the past 30 days and 4.2 times during their lives.
Region 12 students reported average usage rates of 0.8 times in the past month and 2.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Eighteen* percent of region students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). The rates

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of lifetime marijuana use ranged from 8* percent among Region 12 7th graders (13 percent
statewide) to 27* percent among region 12th graders (34 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of Region 12 students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana use ranged from 4* percent among Region
12 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 11 percent among region 12th graders (14 percent
statewide). Seven* percent of Region 12 9th grade students reported smoking marijuana during
the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (14
percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of region students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 3* percent among Region 12 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 9 percent among region
10th graders (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8
percent of Region 12 9th through 12th grade students, the same rate reported by their
counterparts statewide. Driving under the influence of drugs during the past year was reported
by 11 percent of region 12th grade students (12 percent statewide).

Thirty-seven* percent of region students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(48 percent statewide), and 7* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(17 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Four* percent of
region students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Eight* percent of Region 12 students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most
or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of students
statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 12* percent of
region 10th graders (23 percent statewide), 12* percent of Region 12 12th graders (24 percent
statewide), and 10* percent of region 11th graders (25 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fewer Region 12 students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did region students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (9* percent/15 percent statewide). Two
percent of region students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 21* percent of region
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Region 12 students reported a
disapproval rate of 89* percent (87 percent statewide). Seven percent of region students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent

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statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Region 12 students (7
percent/7 percent statewide). Twelve percent of region 10th grade students reported using
uppers at least once during their lifetimes (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Four percent
of region students reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), and 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5
percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In
Region 12, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were region
female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among region students
with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, or other illicit substances.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. Region students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant and nearly two times more likely to have
smoked marijuana than were those region students living in homes with two parents. There
were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Region 12 students with
regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Region 12 students said they would seek help from their friends (76* percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty* percent of region students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 57* percent said they would turn to their parents
(54 percent statewide). Region students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (35 percent/35 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (37* percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5*
percent of Region 12 students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-six* percent of Region 12 students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 51 percent of region students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 43* percent reported getting this
information from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). Forty-two* percent of region students
said "an invited school guest" was a source of information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent
statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Region 12 students believe that crack use is "very

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dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty* percent of region students believe that inhalant use
is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 78* percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco
use is lower. Only 45 percent of region students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol
(46 percent statewide). Thirty-two* percent of Region 12 students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their 7th through 12th grade
counterparts statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).